Patent GB-1455435-A (GB)
Title: Broadcast receivers and to remote control systems therefor
IPC: H04N5/00
Filed: 1973-11-28
Abstract: 1455435 Ultrasonic remote control LICENTIA PATENT-VERWALTUNGS GmbH 28 Nov 1973 [6 Dec 1972] 55073/73 Heading G4F [Also in Division H3] Actuation of a control 7, 28 operates a receiver to a standby condition in which it is not receptive and responsive to broadcast signals but is receptive and responsive to remote control command signals 12 and actuation of one of the tuning controls 10, 20 deactuates the effect of the control 7, 28 and renders the receiver capable of receiving the selected broadcast transmission. As shown by operating a standby condition button 28 storage location 27 of a counter 19 is energized. After a delay provided by a delay circuit 37 such as a capacitor a switch 39 is turned off to switch off circuits 36 of a television receiver used for the reception of the broadcast signals. The part of the receiving circuit 14, 15 and 18 for the remote control command signals is ready for reception. Also the picture tube of the receiver is preheated in order to obtain rapid switching on of the picture. A station may be selected by buttons 20 such as 29 which operates a storage location 22. This de-energizes the storage location 27 and closes the switch 39 to connect the power source 41 to the broadcast circuits 36 of the receiver. The wave range voltage 33 and tuning voltage 34 from an associated potentiometer are obtained for the selected station by a tuning storage device 31 and are applied to a tuner 35 including capacity diodes. The receiver may be returned to the standby condition by operating the button 28 or by operating a button 7 in the remote control device 8. This sends a single pulse 12 of ultrasonic frequency which is received by a separating stage 15 via a microphone 13 and amplifier 14. In response to this single pulse output 16 the counter 19 is reset to operate storage location 27 and turn off the switch 39. By operating a station selector button 10 a pulse train 12 is transmitted. The first pulse of which provides an output at 16 to reset the counter 19 and the remaining pulses of the train provide an output at 17 which is counted by the counter 19 so as to select the required station by means of the storage device 31. The delay provided by 37 ensures that the switch 39 is not operated to switch the receiver to the standby condition when changing between channels selected by the remote control buttons 10. The remote control device also includes rocker buttons 9 providing continuous adjustment of volume, brightness and contrast. A mains switch (not shown) is provided to switch the receiver from the off to the standby condition. The buttons 20 may be replaced by non-mechanical switch contacts such as touch contacts arranged to be ineffective during the standby condition. Switching of the receiver to the operative condition is then only possible by an additional mechanical switching on knob. The button 28 which is then of non- mechanical construction may serve as a switching on knob. The receiver is switched to the standby condition by initial pressure on this button and to the operative condition upon renewed pressure on the button 28.